16 SLFP MPs cross over to opposition, but won't join JO - Dilan Perera

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Following the meeting held last night with President Sirisena (11 April), State Minister Dilan Perera said the sixteen members of SLFP who voted in favour of the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe, will take their seats in the opposition. He further stated, however, the sixteen SLFP members will not join the joint opposition yet will act as a separate entity of the opposition. Dilan also hinted that there will be talks developing on the position of opposition leader as well.  The current opposition of Parliament consists of the  UPFA Joint Opposition (52 seats), TNA (16 seats), JVP (6 seats), Independent (2 seats) and the EPDP (1 Seat). The State Minister's statements came after a meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena last night which concluded with the President approving the resignation letters of the 16 members of the SLFP who voted against the PM during the NCM vote. State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene also speaking to the media following this meeting stated that the central committee of the SLFP will be convened once again in-order to determine the fate of the unity government,